NO304642B1 - Machine and blank for designing a box of sheet metal, as well as such a box - Google Patents

Abstract

Container of sheet material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, comprising square or rectangular lateral faces connected in pairs by a folding line, the said folding lines being mutually parallel. <??>According to the invention, such a container comprises at least five lateral faces. It may be obtained by rolling up a blank of sheet material around a core interacting with a pressure plate whose profile corresponds to that of two or three consecutive faces of the said core. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a machine and a subject as indicated in the respective claims 1 and 8 for the design of a box made of plate material as stated in the introduction in claim 4.

5From patents US-A-4,242,949, DE-A-3,541,821 and

FR-A-2 629 012 e.g., machines are known which are capable of

to produce a cardboard box or similar by winding a blank around a spindle. In these machines, the spindle has an essentially square or rectangular cross-section, so that the boxes have four lateral surfaces which define a volume whose cross-section, parallel to the bottom of the box, is also square or rectangular. It is clear that two adjacent lateral sides are then orthogonal

with each other, forming an edge that is perpendicular to the bottom of the box.

Such boxes are used to pack objects or

groups of objects that are introduced into them through the lid which is kept open, the lid only being closed after the objects have been introduced.

It rarely or never happens that the cross-section of the load formed by such objects or groups of objects is square or rectangular and fits exactly to the box into which the load is introduced, so that the load is not held firmly in place in the box by its side walls,

and so that the corners of the box stick out and are empty. The result is that the load can move inside the box, causing instability that leads to difficulties in handling and loading onto the transport devices. In addition, the box's protruding corners are exposed to external stress and can easily be torn

has an adverse effect on the presentation of the protection of the packaged product. Finally, the box's empty corners are a waste of sheet material as they are useless.

To partially overcome these disadvantages, patent US-A-4 308 029 proposes to place an object to be packed inside

the aforementioned spindle and winding workpieces under tension and with elastic

deformation of two opposite lateral surfaces of the case. One thus obtains a package with a square cross-section whose surfaces are exactly tangent to the walls of the aforementioned object.

It will be seen that the use of the machine as described in the latter patent raises problems when several objects (and not just a single object) are to be packed in the box; In addition, the package you open also has protruding and empty corners, which are useless and can be easily damaged.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages. This is achieved according to the invention by the box and the blank having the characteristic features as stated in the respective requirements 4 and 8.

The box is remarkable in that it comprises at least five side surfaces. Due to the large number of side surfaces on the crate, the following advantages emerge: - the cross-sectional shape of the crate can partly be adjusted; the cross-section of the load it must contain, so that the load can be optimally held laterally; - the protruding empty and useless corners of the case can be suppressed, which reduces the risk of damage to the protruding corners and saves the plate material. These protruding corners (diplanar angles of 90°) are then transformed into more open diplanar angles (angles of more than 90°) which are more susceptible to external damage; - the number of side edges has been increased and therefore also the box's compression strength.

The aforementioned box will preferably have a square cross-section parallel to the bottom with chamfered corners. It can comprise eight surfaces and have a rectangular cross-section with four chamfered corners. It may also comprise only six side surfaces, where four corners are also chamfered. In a variant, the box according to the invention can comprise six side surfaces, with only two cut corners. In another variant, the box according to the invention comprises eight side surfaces and it has a square cross-section with four chamfered corners. In this latter case, the eight side surfaces can be identical.

According to another embodiment, the box according to the invention parallel to the bottom has a triangular cross-section with cut corners 1 It can comprise four lateral surfaces and have a triangular cross-section with two cut corners. It may also comprise six lateral surfaces and have a triangular cross-section with three chamfered corners. According to the invention, a blank of sheet material, such as cardboard or corrugated sheet to form the box according to the invention will thus comprise a series of square or rectangular panels which are connected to each other by first folding lines which are parallel to each other and a first set of lateral plates which are placed on one side of the row of panels and connected thereto by other fold lines perpendicular to said first fold lines and intended to form at least partially the bottom of the case. It is noteworthy that the aforementioned order comprises at least five panels.

This subject preferably additionally comprises another set of lateral plates which are placed on the other side of the said sequence of panels and connected thereto by third fold lines at right angles to the said first fold lines and intended to form at least partially the lid on the checkout.

Some panels may be without the lateral flaps on said first set and/or on said second set-

It is advantageous that at least one flap of the said first set and/or the second set has, at least in the vicinity of the second or third corresponding fold line for the cross-section of the box which bowl is made from the blank.

Two flaps respectively. from the aforementioned first and second sets of flaps, connected to the same panel may be identical or different in shape.

A panel having neither a flap of the first set nor a flap of the said second set may advantageously comprise a stub on the edge which is located on the same side as the said first set of flaps and a cut in the edge which is, placed on the same side as the second set of flaps, so that when two boxes made from two such identical blanks lie one above the other, the butt of the lower box will enter into the cut of the upper box. Boxes made in this way can be easily stacked.

In a variant with the same purpose, the flaps of the first and second sets which are placed on the outside when the box is designed have complementary shapes, so that when two such boxes

> lie one above the other, the flaps of the aforementioned first set on the bottom box will fit into the flaps of the aforementioned second set on the uppermost box.

In order to further increase the strength of the box according to the invention, it is an advantage that at least one flap of the said first set and/or the said second set has at least one foldable hinge that can be attached to a panel, when the box is formed from the blank.

In French patent FR-A-2 629 012, there is described a machine for forming a box from sheet blank having a series of square or rectangular panels connected to each other by first folding lines which are parallel to each other, and a first set of side flaps which are arranged on one side of the succession of panels, connected to them by other folding lines at right angles to the said first folding lines, and intended to form, at least partially, the bottom of the box in which the machine comprises: - a spindle whose external cross-section corresponds to internal cross-sections for the box to be made; - a device for freely supporting an intermediate panel of the said sequence of panels at least approximately opposite the corresponding surface of the spindle, but at a distance from this in order to then bring the intermediate panel against the corresponding surface of the spindle, then to press said intermediate panel against said corresponding surface after folding the panels near said intermediate panel until said adjacent panels abut against the spindle; - a device for winding said sequence of panels around the spindle; - a device for fastening together the end panels of the sequence of panels wound around the spindle; - a device for folding the flaps of said first set against a corresponding surface of the spindle; and

- a device for fastening the folded side flaps together.

Such a machine overcomes the disadvantages inherent in those arranged to produce American boxes. It is therefore an aim to improve such a machine for producing boxes according to the invention.

This purpose is achieved according to the invention in that the spindle comprises at least five surfaces and that the aforementioned support, contraction and pressure device for the intermediate panel comprises a pressure plate with two surfaces which are firmly connected to each other, where the first of the surfaces corresponds to the aforementioned intermediate panel and the second corresponds to a first panel near the intermediate panel where the first and second surfaces of the pressure plate form a first biplane angle, so that when the first surface is brought against the corresponding surface of the spindle, the second surface is brought against the surface of the spindle corresponding to the first adjacent panel, while the edge of the first biplane angle then coincides with the edge of the spindle defined by said corresponding surfaces of the spindle.

Two panels of the said blank are thus perfectly positioned in relation to the spindle and held in place in relation to the corresponding surfaces on this during the winding of the blank, so that a box of particularly precise shape is obtained.

In order to increase this precision, it is advantageous for the pressure plate to have a third surface which is firmly connected to the said first and second surfaces of the plate, and correspondingly to the second panel close to the intermediate panel, where the said first and third surfaces for the pressure plate define another biplane angle, so that when said first and second surfaces abut the surfaces of the spindle corresponding to it, the third surface is placed against the surface of the spindle corresponding to said second adjacent panel, while the edge of the second biplane angle now coincides with the edge of the spindle which is defined by the aforementioned corresponding surfaces on the spindle. Thus, during the final phase of winding the panels, three of them are precisely positioned and held firmly in place against the corresponding surfaces of the spindle.

The aforementioned device for winding the sequence of panels around the spindle advantageously includes a mobile unit with swinging arms. The figures in the accompanying drawings show better how the invention can be carried out in practice. In these figures, the same designations are used to designate similar elements; Fig. 1 shows a flat blank of the plate material for producing a first embodiment of a box according to the invention: Figs. 2 and 3 show in perspective the box made from the blank in fig. 1 where the lid of the box is shown respectively. open (fig. 2) and closed (fig. 3): Fig. 3 illustrates in a cross-section parallel to the bottom the use of the box in fig. 2 and 3:

Fig. 5, 6 and 7 schematically illustrate the method

to design the box in fig. 2 from the subject of fig. 1:

Figs. 8, 10 and 12 are schematic elevations of a machine for producing the box of fig. 2 from the subject of fig. 1, at various stages in this preparation: Fig. 9, 11 and 13 are schematic floor plans corresponding to fig. 8, 10 and 12: Figs. 14, 15 and 16 schematically illustrate in split side views perpendicular to fig. 8, 10 and 12 the closing of the bottom of the box in fig. 2 and 3: Fig. 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47, 50, 53 and 55 show flat variants of ends according to the invention: Fig. 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 45, 48, 51, 54 and

57 shows in perspective the boxes which are made from the ends on

fig. 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 44, 47, 50, 53 and 56 where the boxes have open lids.

Fig. 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 42, 46, 49, 52,

55 and 58 show in perspective the boxes made from the blanks in figures 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47, 50, 53

and 56, where the boxes have closed lids.

Fig. 43 is an end view of the box in fig. 42, made from the blank of fig. 41.

The subject Fl of plate material e.g. cardboard or corrugated board shown in fig. 1 comprises a series of eight aligned rectangular panels 1-8, connected to each other in pairs by three-shaped parallel width lines 9-15. Along the free edges of one panel 1 in the row of panels, a tongue 16 is arranged which is connected to the end panel 1 by a fold line 17 parallel to the fold lines 9-15.

Furthermore, flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7 and 19.1, 19*3, 19.5 and 19.7 are arranged on each side of each panel 1, 3, 5,7. Each flap 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7 is hinged to the corresponding panel 1, 3, 5 or 7 by a preformed folding line 20.1, 20.3, 20.5 or 20.7. These fold lines 20.1, 20.3, 20.5 and 20.7 are aligned and perpendicular to the fold lines 9 - 15 and 17. Similarly, each lateral flap 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 is hinged to the corresponding panel 1, 3, 5, 7 by a preformed folding line 21.1, 21.3, 21.5 or 21.7. The fold lines 21.1, 21.3, 21.5 and 21.7 are arranged perpendicular to the fold lines 9 - 15 and 17. The panels 2, 4, 6 and 8 have no lateral spaces. ;The rectangular panels 1-8 all have the same height h. The two panels 1 and 5 are identical to each other and have width 1. The two panels 3 and 7 are identical to each other and have width L, greater than 1. ;The four panels 2, 4, 6 and 8 are identical to each other and have width e which is less than 1. The height h is greater than L. The blank Fl is intended to form the box Cl as shown in fig. 3, by wrapping and fixing the panels 1 - 8 and fixing the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7, 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 in the manner described below in more detail with reference to Figures 5-16. The box Cl has a height of 1, a length of Li and a width of 11. It has the general appearance of a box with a rectangular cross-section and four sharp corners. In case Cl, the large lateral surfaces are formed by panels 3 and 7, while the small lateral surfaces are formed by panels 1 and 5 and panels 2, 4, 6 and 8 form the chamfered corners of case 1. In addition, the bottom of the case 1 formed by the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7, while the lid of the box 3.1 is formed by the flaps 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7. ;The four flaps 18.1, 18.5, 19.1 and 19.5 are identical and rectangular. They have a length equal to the width 1 for panels ;1 and 5. ;The flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7 are identical to each other. They have a length equal to the length Li of the box Cl and width equal to 1J, equal to half the width 11. The flaps 18.3, 18.7, <1>19.3 and 19.7 whose length Li is greater than the width L of the corresponding panels 3 and 7 are connected with the said panels at the converging part whose slanted edges 22 have a length equal to the width e of the panels 2, 4, 6 and 8. Each aV the said flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7 thus correspond in shape to half the cross-section of the box Cl. ; On fig. 4 is an application of the box Cl, shown in cross-section, for packing six bottles B which are. separated At cross-pieces S. It can be seen that due to the chamfered corners corresponding to panels 2, 4, 6 and 8, the end bottles B are held firmly in place since these chamfered corners are tangent to the bottles. These corners, which protrude very little, are relatively invulnerable to external damage. In addition, one can see at each corner in relation to a known rectangular box that only a proportion a/2b of the plate material is used. If surfaces 2, 4, 6 and 8 are inclined by 45° in relation to surfaces 1, 3, 5, 7, this proportion is equal to 1/2, i.e. 70°. The result is for each corner a saving in material of 30%. ;Finally, the box Cl has eight lateral edges corresponding to the folding lines 7-17 which give the box a compression strength that is greater than for a box with a rectangular cross-section. ; On fig. 8 - 16 schematically illustrates a machine for producing the box Cl with an open lid as shown in fig. 2. For the sake of clarity, the figures are simplified and include only those elements that are necessary to understand the manufacturing phase they illustrate. ;The machine in fig. 8-16 comprises a spindle 23 shown on a larger scale in fig. 5-7 whose outer shape corresponds to the inner shape of the box Cl from the item Fl. For this, the cross-section of the spindle 23 is rectangular with chamfered corners. As shown in figures 8-16, the length of the spindle 23 can be different from the height h of the box Cl. The spindle 23 can be solid or simply formed by a frame defining the edges as shown in figures 5-7. In these figures, it has been assumed that the spindle 23 was formed of parallel-shaped sections 24 (seen in an end view in Figs. 5-7) with a rectangular cross-section and chamfered corners so that it defines lateral bearing surfaces 25-32 for the panels in the blank F1, folding edges 33 - 40 which correspond to the fold lines between the panels and a front support surface 41 for the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7 where the contour of the aforementioned bearing surface 41 which forms the fold edges corresponds to the fold lines on the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7. Fig. 5-7 schematically shows the procedure for placing the workpiece Fl in relation to the spindle 23 when one wants to place the intermediate panel 3 against the corresponding lower surface 25 of the spindle 23. By using known means, e.g. those shown in the document FR-A-2 629 012, a blank F1 was brought near the spindle 23 so that its panel 3 is positioned so that it approximately faces the bearing surface 25. Although the lateral placement of the panel 3 in relation to the surface 25 should be as accurate as possible, it is possible that a displacement occurs between the panel 3 and the mentioned bearing surface 25. In order to prevent premature folding of the workpiece Fl outside the folding lines 10 and 11 at that time the other panels of the blank Fl is folded, the panel F3 must be moved away from the support surface 25 by a distance d before the other panels are folded (see fig. 5). Then, during folding of on the one hand the panels 2, 1 and the tongue 16 and on the other hand the panels 4, 8, the panel 3 is brought close to the bearing surface 25 by means of a pressure plate 42 which has a concave profile and which across the spindle 23 has a surface 43 which can be laid over the surface 25 of the spindle, a surface 44 which can be laid over the surface 26 of the spindle and a surface 45 which can be laid over the surface 32. The surfaces 43 and 44 are connected by an edge 46 which can be laid over the edge 34 while the surfaces 43 and 45 are connected by an edge 47 which can be placed over the edge 33. When the panel 3 is thus brought closer to the surface 25 (arrow F) on one side the panels 2, 1 and the tongue 16 and on the other side panels 4-8 rest against the spindle 23 (see the dotted lines 48 and 49 in fig. 5), which generates a lateral guiding effect and precise positioning of the panel 3 in relation to the bearing surface 25 (see fig. 6). When the plate 42 presses the panel 3 against the bearing surface 25 (see Fig. 7), the fold lines 10 and 11 will lie exactly above the fold edges 33 and 34, and the fold lines 9 and 12 will lie exactly on the fold edges 40 and 35. ;Since the subject Fl now is temporarily attached to the spindle 23 due to the pressure exerted by the plate 42. Design of the case Cl can continue by wrapping the blank Fl around the spindle ;23 (see the dotted lines in Fig. 8). ;With such wrapping, panels 1, 5, 6, 1 and 8 lie against each other. the surfaces 31, 27, 28, 29 and 30, and the tongue 16 is folded back on the surface 30 (before or after the panel 8). ;It is then possible to fasten the tongue 16 and the panel 8 together, e.g. when gluing. ;Then the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 are folded around the edges of the front surface 41 of the spindle 23 correspondingly respectively. the folding lines 20-1 and 20.5 so that they lie against the corresponding surface 41 on the spindle 23. ;Finally, the flaps 18.3 and 18.7 are folded around the edges of the front surface 41 on the spindle 23 corresponding respectively ;the folding lines 20.3 and 20.7 and laid against the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 which have already been folded so that the aforementioned flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5 and 19.7 can be attached together, e.g. when gluing. ;The box Cl as shown in fig. 2 is now produced mounted on the spindle 23 and open on the same side as the flaps 19.1, 19.3, 19.E and 19.7. To fill this box D1, the spindle 23 is removed and the box is placed on the bottom which is formed by the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7 which are fixed together. After filling, the boxCl can be closed by folding the flaps 19.1 and 19.5 around respectively. fold* lines 21.1 and 21.5 and then by folding the flaps 19.3 and 19.7 pl the folded flaps 19.1 and 19.5 and finally by folding the flaps 19.3 and 19.7 on the folded flaps 19.1 and 19.5 and finally by testing the said flaps 19.1, 19.3 , 19.5 and 19.7 e.g. when gluing. One then has the closed box Cl shown in fig. 3.

The above-mentioned operations can be carried out automatically using the machine which is illustrated schematically and partially in fig.8 - 16. This machine has a frame 50 for mounting the spindle 23 and the pressure plate 42. It also consists of a device

> (not shown) of known type to take the ends Fl one at a time from a magazine and bring them under the spindle 23. Glue spreaders 51, 52 and 53 mounted on the frame 50 apply lines of adhesive

54, 55, 56 on the tongue 16 and the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 while the workpiece Fl is brought under the spindle 23.

With the glue spreaders 51 - 53, the blank Fl,

already glued, placed under the spindle 23 in the position shown in fig. 5 above the pressure plate 42 which is operated by an actuator 57 carried by the frame 50.

To wrap the panels 1 - 8 and the tongue 16 around the spindle

23, the machine comprises a mechanism with a moving unit 58 which

can be raised or lowered by an actuator 59 carried by the frame 50.

The movable unit 51 has two movable arms 6 0 and 6 e.g. operated with respectively a joint 62 connected to the frame 50 and a cam 63 mounted on the frame.

Actuators 64 - 67 e.g. cylinder and piston devices, are mounted on the frame 50 and can fold or flaps 18.1, 18.5, 18.7, 18.3. Presses 68 and 69, also mounted on the frame, are arranged to press the tongue 16 and the panel 8 against the surface 30 of the spindle 23.

With a blank F1 brought under the spindle 23 so that it is in the position shown in fig. 5 (see figs. 8 and 9) the actuators 57 and 59 are actuated so that on the one hand the pressure plate 42 comes closer to the spindle 23 and on the other hand the articulated arms 60 and 61 in response to the raising of the movable unit 58, they fold the panels in the subject Fl which is placed respectively on each side of the panel 3. The workpiece F then takes in relation to the spindle 23 in sequence the relative positions illustrated in fig. 6 and 7. Then with the movable unit 58 still rising, the arms 60 and 61 place the panel 5, 6 and 1 respectively. against the corresponding surfaces 27, 28 and 31 on the spindle 23 (see fig. 10 and 11). The presser 68 then presses the tongue 16 against the surface 30 of the spindle 23, after which the second presser 69 presses the panel 8 against the tongue 16 and the surface 30. Due to the line of adhesive 54, the panel 8 is now attached to the tongue 16 (see fig. 12 and 13) .

The actuators 64 and 65 now fold the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 against the surface 41 of the spindle 23 (fig. 11) after which the actuators 66 and 67 place respectively. flap 18.7 (fig. 15) and then flap 18.3 (fig. 16) against the folded flaps 18.1 and 18.5. Due to the lines of adhesive 55 and 56, the flaps 18.2, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7 are fixed together so that they form the bottom of the box Cl.

Fig. 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38 and 41 show sheet blanks F2 - F10 arranged to form boxes with a rectangular cross-section and cut corners similar to the box Cl. In subjects F2, F3, F5 -F9 on fig. 17, 20, 26, 29, 32, 35 and 38 we again find the series of panels of eight aligned rectangular panels 1 - 8, 1 connected in pairs by preformed parallel fold lines 9 - 15, and delimited by fold lines 20.1, 20.3, 20.5, 20.7 , 21.1, 21.3, 21.5 and 21.7 as described above in connection with fig. 1. However, in these variants, suitable 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7 and 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 have different shapes so that the resulting boxes C2, C3 and C5 - C9 are different from the box Cl, although they have the same rectangular cross-section with chamfered corners.

In the case of subjects F4 and F10 in fig. 23 and 41, the row of aligned rectangular panels 1-8 is also different so that the corresponding boxes C4 and Cl0 are different from the box Cl although they have a similar cross-section.

From the foregoing, it can be easily understood that the boxes C2 -C10 can be obtained using the same machine as described in connection with fig. 5-16 possibly by adjusting the location and/or the number of glue spreaders 51 - 53, actuators 64 and 67 and the presser 68 and 69.

In the subject F2 in fig. 17, the flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3, 19.7 are identical and rectangular. They have a length equal to the width L of the panels 3 and 7 and a width equal to half 11. In addition, the flaps 18.1, 18.5, 19.1, 19.5 are identical to each other and each of them has a length equal to 11. It is the flaps 18.1, 18.5, 19.1, 19.5 which therefore include in the vicinity of their fold lines at the corresponding panels the extension produced by the slanted edges 22, the latter of length a.

The subject F3 in fig. 20 is identical to subject F2 in fig. 2 except as regards the free edges of the panels 2, 4, 6,8 and the tongue 16. The free edges of these panels and the said tongue directed towards the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7 comprise incisions 70 while those directed towards flaps 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 have protrusions 71. The box C3 thus has slots 73 at its lower part and stubs 74 at its upper part. When two boxes C3 are placed on top of each other, the stubs 74 on the lower box will go inside 1 the slots 73 on the upper box so that the boxes are held laterally in place in relation to each other.

Panels 2 - 8 and flaps 18.3, 18.5, 18.7, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 of subject F4 in fig. 23 are identical to those of subject F1 in fig. 1. On the other hand, the panel 1, the tongue 16 and the flaps 18.1 and 19.1 are omitted and replaced by two rectangles

fasten panels 1.1 and 1.2 with the outer edges of panels 2 and 9 along the fold lines 9 and 75. With each of the panels 1.1

and 1.2 are the respective associated rectangular flaps 18.11, 19.11 and 18.72, 19.72. The panels 1.1 and 1.2 and the flaps 18.11, 19.11, 18.72 and 19.72 have a width 12 which is greater than half

the width 1 of the panel 5. After the workpiece F4 has thus been folded around the spindle 23, the panels 1.1 and 1.2 as well as the flaps 18.11, 19.11, 18.72 and 19.72 are laid on top of each other along an overlapping zone 76 where they can be attached, e.g. when gluing. In subject F5 in fig. 26 are panels 1-8, tongue 16, flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5,

18.7 and 19.5 essentially similar to those on subject 1 in fig. 1. Along the slanted edges 22, however, the flaps 18.3 and 18.7 comprise hinges 77. Moreover, the flaps 19.3 and 19.7 have a shape sbm corresponding to the cross-section of the box C5. In addition, they include the beveled edges

22 and 78 on the cut corners of flap 19.7, hinges 79. When the box C5 is formed from blank F5, hinges 77 and 79

folded back and attached to the surfaces of the aforementioned corresponding panels 2, 4, 6 and 8. The hinges 77 and 79 therefore form reinforcements connecting the bottom and lid of the box C5 to its side walls. In addition, a handle 80 is arranged on the flap 19.7, where the handle 80 is accessible through a slot 81 in the flap 19.3 when the latter is folded back over the flap 19.7 and attached to it.

In subject F6 in fig. 9, the panels 1-8, the tongue 16 and the flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5 and 18.7 are similar to those of the blank F2 of fig. 17. On the other hand, the flaps 19.1, 19.3, and 19.7 have a small width and all have beveled edges 22. The box D6 thus comprises a lid formed only by peripheral edges 82, which define a central opening 83.

The subject F7 in fig. 32, panels 1 - 8 comprise a tongue 16 and flaps 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7 similar to those on item F1 in fig. 1. Flaps 19.1 and 19.5 are rectangular with a length equal to the width 1 of the panels 1 and 7, but with a small width. In addition, the aforementioned kiaffs 19.3 and 19.7 comprise, in longitudinal extension, hinges 84. The box C7 thus has a lid formed by a peripheral edge 85 which defines a central opening 86, while the hinges 84, after being folded back and glued, secure the lid to the side surfaces on

the aforementioned box corresponding to panels 1 and 5.

In subject F8 in fig. 35, the panels 1 - 8 and the tongue 16 are similar to those in items F1 and F2 in fig. 1 and 2. Flaps 18.1, 18.5, 19.1, 19.5 are identical to each other. In a similar way, the flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3 and 19.7 are identical to each other. Each flap 18.1, 18.5, 19.1, 19.5 has, near the fold line connecting it to the corresponding panel, a wider zone of beveled edges 22 and then a narrower zone of beveled edges 87 in a direction opposite to the edges 22, and finally a zone 88 with constant length. Each flap 18.3, 18.7, 19.3, 19.7 comprises, near the fold line connecting it to a corresponding panel, a zone 89 of constant width, then a spreading zone of bevelled edges 90 and finally a zone 91 of constant length.

The total width of the flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3, 19.7 is equal to all 11, and their length at the level of a constant length 91 is equal to Li. The box C8 which is made from the blank F8 is shown in fig. 36 and 37.

In subject F9 in fig. 38, the panels 1-8, the tongue 16 and the flaps 18.1, 18.5, 19.1 and 19.5 are similar to those in the subject F2 of fig. 17. The width of the mentioned flaps is, however, less than half 11. The flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3, 19.7 are similar to each other. Near their fold lines connecting it with the corresponding panel, they comprise a rectangular area 92, then a narrowing area 93 with beveled edges 94. The width of these latter flaps is equal to half 11. As illustrated in fig. 38, the manufacture of the blanks F9 is economical in the plate material since two blanks F9 can be fitted into one another with displacement in the longitudinal direction.

In fig. 41 shows a blank F10 where the row of panels 1 - 8 is such that the height h of the panels is less than the width L of the panels 3 and 7 in contrast to what is shown for the blanks Fl - F9 as described above. The flaps 18.1 and 18.5 are essentially similar to those in item F2 in fig. 17, while the flaps 18.3 and 18.7 are essentially similar to those in subject F1 in fig. 1. In addition, flaps 19.1, 19.3, 19.5 and 19.7 essentially the same as those in subject F2 in fig. 17. The lateral edges of the flaps 19.3 and 19.7 comprise incision 95.

The bottom of the box CIO formed by folding the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 and attaching them to the flaps 18.3 and 18.7 which have previously been folded so that the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 protrude in relation to them. The lid of the box CIO is designed by folding the flaps

19.3 and 19.7 and to attach them to the flaps 19.1 and 19.5 which have previously been folded so that the said flaps 19.3 and 19.7 which protrude in relation to the flaps 19.1 and 19.5 form cavities 96 at the ends of the box. The shape of the aforementioned cavities 96 corresponds to the shape of the flaps 18.1 and 18.5. Thus, when two boxes G10 are placed on top of each other, the projections formed by the flaps 18.1 and 18.5 on the bottom of the upper box and into the cavities 96 in the lid of the lower box so that cooperation between the projections 18.1 and 18.5 and the cavities 96 ensures the vertical stability of the box. This stability is further enhanced by the fact that the panels 2, 4, 6, 8 comprise the projections 71 and the cutouts 70 at end 3 in fig. 20 so that the box 10 includes stumps 74 and cutouts 73 similar to those on the box C3, which facilitates stacking of boxes CIO.

In the topic File in fig. 44, panels 1 and 5 of the items F1 to F10 described above are omitted. Furthermore, panel 8 is connected to panel 2, and it carries the tongue 16. The result is that the box C11 has a hexagonal and not an octagonal cross-section. Square flaps 18.2, 18.4, 18.6, 18.8, 19.2, 19.4, 19.6 and 19.8 are placed at the end of panels 2, 4, 6 and 8. Flaps 18.3, 18.7, 19.3, 19.7 are trapezoidal. In case C11, the corners are thus cut wider and there is a total suppression in relation to cases Cl - CIO of the side surfaces that close to panels 1 and 5.

The box C12 in fig. 48 and 49 have only two subsequent cut corners. For this, the corresponding subject F12 has the same order of panels 8, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 as subject Fli, but according to the design of the box C2, panels 6 and 8 are orthogonal to panel C7. Panels 6 and 8 have no flaps. The panels 2, 3,4 and 7 comprise flaps 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.7, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 19.7 which can form the bottom and the lid of the box C12. The subject F13 in fig. 50 comprises a series of eight identical panels 1-8, with associated trapezoidal flaps 18.1 - 18.8 and 19.1 - 19.8. The box C13, which is made from the blank F13, has an octagonal cross-section which corresponds to a square cross-section with four chamfered corners. Octagonal plates 97 are arranged for the case C13 to form the bottom and lid together with the respective flaps 18.1 - 18.8 and 19.1 - 19.8.

The subject F14 in fig. 53 has a row of five panels 3-7, with a tongue 16 connected to the first panel 3. The box C14 therefore has a triangular cross-section with two chamfered corners. The panel 5 has flaps 18.5 and 19.5 of a corresponding triangular shape, comprising their bases inclined sides 22 which can be aligned to the side surfaces corresponding to the panels 4 and 6. In addition, the panels 3 and 7 comprise flaps 18.3, 18.7 and 19.3, 19.7 which serve as supports for the flaps 18.5 and 19.5 and form the base and lid for the box C14.

The subject F15 in fig. 6 is similar to the subject F14 in fig. 53, but additionally comprises a panel 8 and the ends of the flaps 18.5 and 19.5 are cut. Case C5 therefore has a triangular cross-section with three bevelled corners. In addition, a handle 80 is arranged on panel 8. One can easily understand what is described in connection with fig. 5 - 16 that the boxes C11 - C15 can be produced by winding the blanks Fil to F15 around spindles 23 which have a shape that curves to the cross section of the boxes. Such winding takes place in cooperation with the pressure plate 42 whose profile corresponds to 2, and preferably 3 subsequent surfaces on the spindle.

Claims (10)

1. Machine for forming a box from a blank of sheet material having a series of square or rectangular panels connected by first fold lines parallel to each other and a first set of side flaps (18.1-18.7) placed on one side of the series of panels and connected to these by other folding lines at right angles to the aforementioned first folding lines, and intended to form at least partially the bottom of the box, comprising: - a spindle (23) whose outer cross-section corresponds to the inner cross-section of the box to be manufactured; - a device (42) for freely supporting an intermediate panel of said sequence of panels, at least approximately opposite the corresponding surface (25) of the spindle, but at a distance from this so as to bring said intermediate panel towards it said corresponding surface of the spindle, and pressing the intermediate panel against the corresponding surface, after the panels near said intermediate panel are folded until the corresponding panel abuts the spindle; - a device for winding (60, 61) said series of panels around the spindle; - a device for fastening together (51) the end panels of the row of panels wound around the spindle; - a device for folding (64-67) the flaps of said first set against a corresponding surface (41) on the spindle; and - a device for fastening together (52, 53) the folded flaps, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the spindle (23) comprises at least five surfaces and where the said support, contraction and pressure device for the said intermediate panel comprises a pressure plate (42) with two surfaces (43, 44) which are fixedly connected to each other, where the first of the surfaces corresponds to said intermediate panel and the second corresponds to a first panel located close to said intermediate panel where the first and second surfaces of the pressure plate form a first biplane angle so that when said first surface is brought against the corresponding surface (25) of the spindle, the second surface is brought against the surface (26) of the spindle corresponding to the first adjacent panel, while the edge (46) of said first biplane angle then falls together with that edge (34) of the spindle which is defined by said corresponding surfaces of the spindle. 2. Machine according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the pressure plate (42) has a third surface (45) firmly connected to the said first and second surfaces of the plate and corresponds to the second panel close to the intermediate panel, where the said first and third surfaces on the pressure plate defines another two-plane angle, so that when said first and second surfaces are brought against the corresponding surfaces of the spindle, the third surface (45) is brought against the surface (32) of the spindle corresponding to said second adjacent panel, while the edge ( 47) on the second two-plane angle then coincides with the edge of the spindle which is defined by the aforementioned corresponding surfaces on the spindle. 3. Machine according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the device for winding the said series of panels around the spindle comprises a movable unit (58) with swinging arms (60, 61). 4. Box (Cl - CIO) of cardboard sheet material formed from a blank (Fl - F10) comprising a series of eight rectangular parts (1 - 8) to form the side walls of the box and ending in a rectangular fastening tongue (16), where the parts and the tongue are connected to each other by first mutually parallel fold lines (9 - 15 and 17), namely four main parts separated in pairs by four intermediate parts, and a first set of side flaps (18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7) arranged on one side and connected with the main parts of second fold lines (20.1, 20.3, 20.5, 20.7) perpendicular to the first fold lines and forming at least partially the bottom of the case, the intermediate parts being without a flap, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the second fold lines (20.1, 20.3, 20.5 , 20.7) are aligned, and that the end part of the row of parts and the tongue, on one side, and the adjacent flaps, on the other side, are only fixed by being applied to each other and by gluing, where the first box is assembled automatically by folding the parts and flaps on d a first set about a spindle (23). 5. Box according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT no flaps on the first set have the shape of the box with cut corners obtained with said blank, at least in the vicinity of the corresponding to other folding lines. 6. Box according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT at least one flap in two (18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7) has its two transverse sides at least partially at an angle to the outside of the flap starting from the other fold lines. 7. Box according to one of claims 4-6, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the blank comprises a second set of side flaps (19.1, 19.3, 19.5, 19.7) arranged on the other side of the parts forming the side walls, which are connected to the latter by third fold lines ( 21.2. third fold lines. 8. Blank (Fl - F10) for forming a box with eight side walls comprising a series of eight rectangular parts (1 - 8) ending in a rectangular fastening tongue (16), where the parts are intended to form the side walls and which are connected with each other by first mutually parallel folding lines (9 - 15 and 17), i.e. four main parts separated in pairs by four intermediate parts, and a first set of side flaps (18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7) arranged on one side and connected to the main parts by other fold lines (20.1, 20.3, 20.5, 20.7) perpendicular to the first fold lines and calculated to form at least partially the bottom of the box, the intermediate parts being free of flaps, CHARACTERIZED BY the fact that the second fold lines (20.2, 20.3, 20.5, 20.7) are aligned, and that the end part of the row of parts and the tongue, on the one hand, and the adjacent flaps on the other hand, are intended to be attached only by being applied to each other and by gluing, where the blank is intended to be folded when folding them len and the flaps in the first set around a spindle (23). 9. Blank according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT no flaps on the first set have the shape of the box with cut corners obtained with said blank, at least in the vicinity of the corresponding other fold lines. 10. Subject according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT at least one flap in two (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7) has its two transverse sides at least partially at an angle to the outside of the flap starting from the other fold lines.